Judge refuses to accept character witness statements

Let's not make it two tiered. All character witnesses for every case should attend court to testify. End of. Good call by the judge (for once).

I'd have no issue with the references being presented in court by the witness's but I wonder what would be the nature of any cross examination?

Given that nobody would put anything in the reference that was untrue for fear of the consequences I'd imagine the cross examinations would prove to be of little value.

The worst child-abusers build their reputation to include excellent relationships with adults, precisely because it stops suspicion.

Some of those adults won't have a clue and will genuinely believe that genuinely (whoever) is a great lad. They will think he's not capable of what he's accused of.

Being that these references are only produced post conviction the question of whether the convicted person is guilty or not has already been settled.

The person providing the reference is not on trial they are only testifying in reference to their personal knowledge of the convicted person.

It would appear possible this is being used to discourage people from giving references.

I heard a discussion about this on the radio a while ago. They don't seem to carry much weight at all.

I'm glad to hear they're finally bringing people to task over these references because they're particularly objectionable. Leaving aside the nature of their crimes and what their victims had to go through, there's no way anybody can genuinely give a reference for an offender. The nature of many sexual predators is that they are good at hiding this awful side of their character. How well can any of us ever know people who orbit in our circles?

without having thought this through too much, i would do away with them altogether. let the evidence speak for itself. you are being judged for the crime only.

That's exactly what I was thinking. If they want to get rid of the statements, then they should so that.

I presume the ability to give the reference without appearing was to ensure equality.

But seriously. If you were friends with someone who turned out to be a convicted sex offender, who would give them a character reference? How would you show your face in town again after giving a positive character reference for someone who did that?

Gwan the parish .

That's the mentality ,sure he didn't touch my kids he's a grand lad

How are character references relevant if someone is convicted of violent crimes?

"Ah sure they're a decent skin apart from the odd rape and murder." I find it bizarre.